Four dead in Pennsylvania highway shooting

Four people died on a Pennsylvania highway when a gunman shot
dead three people and later was killed in a shootout with
police, according to Pennsylvania media, citing authorities.

Three state troopers were injured in the incident in
Frankstown Township, about 160km east of Pittsburgh.

Investigators suspect the shooter might have been driving
when he opened fire, shooting people for unknown reasons, the
Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported, citing an official with
the Blair County Emergency Management Agency.

"The Pennsylvania State Police have neutralized the active
shooter in Frankstown Township, Blair County. There is no
longer a threat to residents and visitors to this area from
this individual," the Blair County Emergency Management
Agency said on its Facebook page.

The shooting took place with much of the United States still
highly sensitive to gun violence one week after a gunman
killed 20 school children and six adults at an elementary
school in Newtown, Connecticut.

The unidentified highway shooter killed two other men and a
woman, the Altoona Mirror reported, citing the prosecutor,
Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio.

One trooper was hit in his bulletproof vest and another was
hit by flying glass when the shooter fired on his car, the
Mirror said. The third trooper was injured in a crash
involving the suspect, the newspaper reported, citing
Consiglio.

None of their injuries was considered life-threatening,
Consilgio told the Tribune Review.

Calls to Consiglio's office by Reuters went unanswered.
Police said they would hold a news conference soon to release
details.

Newtown held a moment of silence on Friday in remembrance of
the children and teachers killed last week in Connecticut.
The National Rifle Association pro-gun lobby issued a
statement in response to the Newtown shooting, urging armed
guards at the nation's schools.